GOP Reps. Wayne Gilchrest and Roscoe Bartlett have enlisted top party leaders to help them raise money against challengers in Maryland's primary next Tuesday.

House Speaker Hastert and Senate Commerce Chairman McCain attended a cocktail reception Wednesday at the Capitol Hill Club for Gilchrest. The price of admission was $1,000 for PACs and $250 for individuals.

But Gilchrest, who is defending his seat against conservative GOP state Sen. Richard Colburn, said the funds raised at the event would help him put money in the coffers of the National Republican Congressional Committee.

"It's going to vulnerable incumbents," he said. "This will be our contribution to the NRCC."

Republican Main Street Partnership Executive Director Sarah Chamberlain Resnick said her group, which backs moderates, does not expect a conservative rival group to put substantial resources behind Colburn in the closing days of the campaign.

"We'd like to think we scared the Club For Growth out of there," she said, referring to a Club for Growth attempt to oust Gilchrest two years ago.

Meanwhile, Vice President Cheney is scheduled to raise funds today for Bartlett, a six-termer who faces Frederick County State's Attorney Scott Rolle in the primary.